“Will that be a problem?”
“I cannot see why it would be.”
“Good,” he said. “If you break that final rule, if you mean to run, well…” He continued to look right at her, letting the moment build. “Debt collectors will be the least of your problems.”
A cold shudder ran through her body. While Octavia did not think the Duke was a dangerous man, she did not doubt his power, his self-belief, and the very real fact that here sat a man who expected mountains to move if he desired it.
All that was to say, he was not a man to be trifled with.
“That…” She swallowed. “That will not be a problem.”
He said nothing at first. He continued to watch her, letting the silence build, no doubt enjoying the way it made her squirm. It felt to Octavia that he did it on purpose, that he took pleasure in the power he held over her.
It made her angry… but she held that in, deep breaths…do not say anything stupid, Octavia. It’s done. You have the job. Now, just don’t ruin –
“Oh!” Her eyes widened as a realization came to her. “I have a rule of my own, seeing as we are speaking of such things.”
For the first time, an emotion passed across his face. It was a clear surprise; no doubt shocked that she would say something like that.
“You do?” he asked.
“My brother,” she said quickly, wanting to get it out. “He is eight, he lives with me, and if I am to move in here, I will require you to give him board also.”
“Your brother…”
“He is no trouble,” she explained. “He is smart, he keeps to himself, and I swear you will not even notice him.”
“Does he not have anywhere else to stay?”
“No, he does not.” She forced herself to meet his eyes, refusing to look weak. This was something that she could not bend on. “As I said already, both our parents have passed away, and I am all he has. I need this,” she pressed. “You do not get him without me.”
“And if I do not want you?”
Octavia allowed a smirk. “Considering the turnover rate of your governesses, as you just told me yourself, I am thinking that you do not have much of a choice.”
Another emotion crossed the Duke’s face. It was subtle. It passed in a flash. But Octavia could have sworn it looked like amusement. The faintest hint of a smirk before he covered it.
“Very well,” he said, back to his emotionless self. “Your brother may stay.”
She exhaled with relief. “Wonderful.”
“We shall see.”
“So…” She clicked her tongue as the Duke continued to look right at her. “What now? Do I… is there something I need to sign? Any more questions?”
“There will be,” he said. “I will have Miss Spencer draw up the papers for you to sign when you start. Tomorrow,” he was sure to add. “If you have previous engagements, I suggest you cancel them. Your life is now here, and for the next six months, that will not change.”
Octavia resisted the urge to smirk. She could tell now that the Duke was doing everything he could to remind her of his powerover her. She had won a small battle just now, concerning her brother, and no doubt he hated the fact.
Oh, he is petty… and stubborn too. Lucky for him, so am I.
She pushed back her chair and stood. “Thank you, Your Grace, for taking a chance on me. I promise you will not be disappointed.”
“Let us hope that is a promise you can keep.” He stayed seated. He continued to look at her. And he gave no indication that he meant to dismiss her.
Their eyes held. His stare was unblinking. Octavia, feeling just a little vindicated, tried to hold his stare as if she might somehow overpower him. But his eyes were bottomless pits; they bore through her, they wrapped her, battered her, overwhelmed her with their indomitable strength. She felt powerless in front of them, exposed, utterly fragile like a pane of glass that might just shatter at any moment…
She gasped and looked away, her breathing suddenly heavy.